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Focus: Russia - Jan 16, 2017


Note: Kudos to Trump for his farsighted peaceful proposal to lift anti-Russian sanctions in exchange for nuclear arms reductions. Another common ground for cooperation could be the Arctic region.


Trump offers to Russia an end to sanctions for nuclear arms cut: 'I think nuclear weapons should be way down and reduced very substantially' - Reuters


Trump: 'NATO is very important to me' but it is obsolete because designed many years ago, countries aren’t paying and it didn’t deal with terrorism - Washington Examiner


Donald Trump avoids saying who he trusts more — Vladimir Putin or Angela Merkel, 'I start off trusting both — but let’s see how long that lasts' - Independent


Kremlin says judgement on Trump’s remarks about sanctions only possible after inauguration - TASS


Senator: Russia won’t trade security for lifting of sanctions, 'one of the main obstacles is the implementation of the US global missile defense plans' - RT


Kremlin agrees with Trump that NATO is 'vestige of past', according to the spokesman 'confrontation is the systemic goal of NATO' - TASS


Hollande on Trump's NATO remarks: Europe needs no policy advice from abroad - Sputnik


Merkel to Trump: Europe's destiny is ‘in our own hands' - VOA


German official says McCain told him he did not expect Trump to reverse the deployment of 4,000 U.S. troops to Poland. - AOL News


Don't add Montenegro to ‘obsolete' NATO: Senate shouldn't sacrifice U.S. security for Balkan mouse - Forbes


Army minister accuses Corbyn of siding with Russia against Nato after the Labour leader said 'I want to see a de-escalation, ultimately a de-militarisation...between both sides' - The Guardian


Inside Ike Eisenhower’s farewell warning: The military industrial complex - The Daily Beast

 

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Hundreds of U.S. Marines land in Norway, irking Russia - Reuters


US Marine force in Norway to eye Arctic and beyond - Stripes


Russian media: US Marines land in Norway, signaling departure from post-WW2 commitment to Russia - RT News


With about a third of its territory located north of the Arctic Circle, Russia is interested in developing projects in the region - Sputnik


Russia, Norway to sign final pact on disputed Arctic shelf exploration in April - Sputnik


Foreign Ministry in Oslo confirms possible political participation at Putin’s Arctic conference in Arkhangelsk in March - The Independent Barents Observer


Russia expands its presence in the Arctic, in the past two years it has opened six military bases - Russia Beyond The Headlines


Russia's nuclear-powered ice-breaker in the race to control the Arctic - Daily Mail Online


Russia deploys Arctic radar array on Wrangel Island - RT News


Russian Arctic ports have best year ever - The Independent Barents Observer


Siberian scientists to study Arctic 'anchor points' for development of Northern Sea Route - TASS


REPORT: Russia’s Arctic Obsession - Financial Times


US Navy Arctic drones: Ice melting too fast as competition with Russia intensifies - Scout


Experts from Russia and North America identify possible trends for the future of Arctic affairs and bilateral U.S.-Russian relations in the region - Russia Direct


International cooperation robust in the Arctic - Global Trade Magazine


Strategic thinking in the Russian Arctic: When threats become opportunities (1) - Red (Team) Analysis


Strategic Thinking in the Russian Arctic: When threats become opportunities (2) - Red (Team) Analysis

 

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: The Trump Dossier - Jan 13, 2017


Note: Why the intelligence community included a two page summary of the ‘Trump dossier’ in the presidential and congressional briefing? The Trump dossier is unsubstantiated, contains falsities, outlandish claims, inaccuracies and typos. Veteran intelligence officials call it a complete fraud which 'violated basic standards for intelligence reporting.’ A disinformation analyst at the US Navy’s call it a forgeryMedia critics call it dodgy. In a statement intelligence chief James Clapper wrote that ‘the IC has not made any judgment that the information in this document is reliable, and we did not rely upon it in any way for our conclusions. However, part of our obligation is to ensure that policymakers are provided with the fullest possible picture of any matters that might affect national security.’ Does this pile of garbage really affect national security? The Telegraph reports that the alleged author of the Trump dossier Christopher Steele had contact with the FBI in July 2017 to discuss the content of it. The intelligence agencies had ample time to verify the veracity of the dossier, make an analysis and reach final conclusions. Why they did not make an investigation if they felt that the dossier was worth of it. By enclosing the summary of the dossier in the presidential briefing the intelligence community publicized it and validated it even if they had not reached any judgement about it. The New York Times states that 'putting the summary in a report that went to multiple people in Congress and the executive branch made it very likely that it would be leaked.’ Below are analyses of the Trump dossier published in the media.


Intel vets say Trump ‘dossier' is a ‘complete fraud' - The Daily Caller


‘Forgery!’ Donald Trump spy file is ‘bogus,’ security expert claims - radaronline.com


The Trump dossier is fake — and here are the reasons why. 'A sad state of affairs where an anonymous report, full of bizarre statements, captures the attention of the world media' - Forbes


Spy fiction or malware? A closer look at a ‘dodgy’ Russia dossier on Trump – World Tribune


Credibility of Donald Trump 'dirty dossier' is undermined by basic errors, claims former British spy - Daily Mail Online


VIDEO: Former UK Security Minister raises doubts over Trump dossier - Daily Mail Online


Michael Cohen, an attorney for the president-elect, denies allegations contained in a dossier published by BuzzFeed News: 'It Is fake news meant to malign Mr. Trump' - The Atlantic


Russian tech expert named in Trump report says US intelligence never contacted him about the accusations, which he says are false - McClatchy DC


Russians named in Trump dossier dismiss claims, They were incredulous over allegations of ties to Kremlin-led efforts to interfere with U.S. elections - WSJ


UK spy ‘gathered' Trump intel without going to Russia - The Daily Caller


Theresa May says Trump dossier author has not worked for Britain for years - Reuters


Chris Steele’s friends describe a 007 figure but MI6 call him ‘an idiot’ - Support


Alleged Trump dossier author Christopher Steele met the FBI to discuss the background to the file he had compiled - The Telegraph 


Democrats accuse FBI director of stonewalling on Trump-Russia ties, as more call for him to step down - The Washington Post


US intel sources warn Israel against sharing secrets with Trump administration, fear will be leaked to Russia—and from Russia to its close ally Iran - Ynetnews News


Spy agencies around the world are digging into Trump’s Moscow ties - BuzzFeed News


REPORT: Full text of the Trump dossier - BuzzFeed News


To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)


The Yanks Are Coming -- Unwanted

By Victor Grossman
 
Hit that old song again, loud and clear! “Over there, over there, Send the word, send the word, That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming…”
 
Yes, sirree! Shades of 1918 and the Battle of the Marne! Shades of 1944 and the beaches of Normandy! But no, not just shades and not just words have already been sent.
 
2017 had hardly begun in Germany’s port of  Bremerhaven when 4000 lads and lasses in Yankee uniform disembarked and unloaded three shiploads, over 2,500 tanks, trucks and other combat vehicles, and sent them on by rail, on ferries through the Baltic or clanking along those Autobahn highways through North Germany. So many memories!

Focus: Russia - Jan 8, 2017


McCain, Graham call for greater sanctions against Russia, say Trump in conflict with congressional Republicans if he doesn't get tougher on Putin - USAToday


McCain, Graham still have questions about Tillerson - POLITICO


Senator Menendez raises concerns on secretary of state nominee Tillerson over Russia, says he remains open to his nomination - dailyprogress.com


VIDEO: Full Interview: Lindsey Graham and John McCain On NBC's 'Meet The Press' - YouTube


McConnell: Trump's Russia hopes will quickly be dashed - Washington Examiner


VIDEO: McConnell predicts Trump's hope of better U.S.-Russia relationship will be 'will be dashed pretty quickly' - YouTube


House Intel Chair Nunes and committee's ranking Democrat Schiff: US friendship with Russia may not be possible - newsmax.com


VIDEO: Devin Nunes full Interview on 'Fox News Sunday' - YouTube


Pentagon chief Carter: We shouldn't 'limit ourselves' in response to Russia, 'I don’t think it should be a military, or purely military response' - TheHill


Pentagon chief Carter: Russian efforts in fight against ISIS 'virtually zero' - TheHill


VIDEO: Ash Carter interview On NBC's 'Meet The Press' - YouTube


Obama worried some citizens have more confidence in Vladimir Putin than fellow Democrats, says 'Putin is not on our team' - Orlando Sentinel


VIDEO: Obama on  ABC’s 'This Week’ says he didn't underestimate Putin but did misjudged Russia’s ability to tamper in the American electoral process YouTube


Reince Priebus says Trump accepts Russia is to blame for election-season hacking - slate.com


VIDEO: Incoming White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus says President elect Donald Trump accepts that Russia were behind the election hacking campaign - YouTube


Daniel Ellsberg hopes Trump, Putin can avoid doomsday scenario - San Francisco Chronicle


Russia election hack update: WikiLeaks will respond to CIA report Monday - ibtimes.com


 

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Note: Senators McCain, Graham and Klobuchar trip to Ukraine, the Baltics states and Georgia during the New Year 2017 holidays.

 

U.S. Senators vow no 'Faustian bargain' with Russia, pledge to target Putin ‘harder' - rferl.org


VIDEO: Interview with senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Aimee Klobuchar - YouTube


US senators McCain and Graham praise frontline Ukrainian marines in the Donetsk region, slam Putin – POLITICO


VIDEO: Sen. McCain in Donetsk region, Ukraine: Putin, we will defeat you in 2017 - YouTube


VIDEO: Poroshenko gives John McCain and US senators tour of Donetsk frontline on NYE - YouTube


VIDEO: Poroshenko awards Orders of Ukraine to US Senators McCain and Graham - YouTube

 

McCain calls for permanent US troops in Baltics - AFP


VIDEO: Senator McCain wants permanent US military presence in the Baltics - YouTube


US Senator McCain meets Lithuanian Prime Minister, reaffirms NATO support - Sputnik


John McCain reaffirms U.S. security guarantee against Russia during visit to Georgia - Democracy & Freedom Watch


VIDEO: U.S. Senator McCain visits Georgia's breakaway region frontier on the border to South Ossetia - rferl.org


To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Allegations Against Russia Less Credible Every Day

The U.S. government has now generated numerous news stories and released multiple "reports" aimed at persuading us that Vladimir Putin is to blame for Donald Trump becoming president. U.S. media has dutifully informed us that the case has been made. What has been made is the case for writing your own news coverage. The "reports" from the "intelligence community" are no lengthier than the New York Times and Washington Post articles about them. Why not just read the reports and cut out the middle-person?

The New York Times calls the latest report "damning and surprisingly detailed" before later admitting in the same "news" article that the report "contained no information about how the agencies had collected their data or had come to their conclusions." A quick glance at the report itself would have made clear to you that it did not pretend to present a shred of evidence that Russia hacked emails or served as a source for WikiLeaks. Yet Congresswoman Barbara Lee declared the evidence in this evidence-free report "overwhelming." What should progressives believe, the best Congresswoman we've got or our own lying eyes?

Focus: NATO and Russia - Jan 6, 2016

 

Hundreds of U.S. tanks, trucks and other military equipment arrive in Germany to be deployed in eastern Europe as part of a NATO buildup - Reuters


Fort Carson: About 4,400 soldiers in the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team deploys to Europe for Operation Atlantic Resolve - TheDenverChannel.com


VIDEO: US military shipment arrives in Germany, ahead of NATO exercises - YouTube


New nuclear-armed subs get Pentagon OK before Obama leaves White House, a potential $126 billion project that the Navy calls its top priority - Bloomberg


NATO and Russia in game of cat and mouse in Baltic skies - AFP


NATO: Russian aircraft intercepted 110 times above Baltic in 2016 - newsweek.com


Germany continues augmenting Baltic air policing - NATO HQ Aircom


US sends elite commandos to reassure Baltic states while NATO beefs up defenses - Daily Mail Online


This is how NATO members are preparing for a possible Russian aggression in Baltic Sea - ibtimes.com


Defense minister: Turkey ‘can end US use of (Incirlik) base if interests hurt’, row between Ankara and Washington over relations with the Syrian Kurdish party PYD - hurriyetdailynews.com


Turkey Defense Ministry report reveals İncirlik Air Base links to putschist F-16 pilots - Daily Sabah


ISIS jihadist admits: 'We want to attack Incirlik airbase' - pjmedia.com


In Turkey, US hand is seen provoking nearly every crisis - The Boston Globe


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Senators finalizing new Russia sanctions for next week, in response to hacking as well as ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Syria - TheHill


AUDIO: Senator Cardin details bill on Russian sanctions - WBAL Radio 1090 AM


Key Senate Republicans hesitant about Russia sanctions - Washington Examiner


Kerry: 'Very dangerous' for Trump to reverse sanctions on Russia - TheHill


Report: Anti-Russian sanctions annihilated 400,000 jobs in Europe - Fort Russ


Russia begins withdrawal from Syria, The Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier naval group will be the first to leave the conflict area: official - TheHill


New satellite evidence of Russian Iskander M Missile deployment in Syria - Defense Update


Duterte hopes Russia will become Philippines' ally and protector - Reuters


Philippines’ Duterte open to Russian navy joint drill - newsweek.com


VIDEO: Duterte tours Russian warship: Come to Philippines more often - YouTube


Russian warship visit to Philippines part of broader pivot to Asia: analyst - ABS-CBN News


Russia's economy may be weak but its military is on a spending spree - afr.com


To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

More Clapp-trap: Senate Hearing on Russian Election Mischief Again Fails to Prove Anything

By Dave Lindorff

 

            The Russian hacking hysteria in the US media and, surprisingly, among educated liberals (who should know better after years of government lies and deceit, particularly about foreign affairs), is becoming increasingly embarrassing.

The Democratic Party Line That Could Torch Civil Liberties… and Maybe Help Blow Up the World

By Norman Solomon

Many top Democrats are stoking a political firestorm. We keep hearing that Russia attacked democracy by hacking into Democratic officials’ emails and undermining Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Instead of candidly assessing key factors such as longtime fealty to Wall Street that made it impossible for her to ride a populist wave, the party line has increasingly circled around blaming Vladimir Putin for her defeat.

Of course partisan spinners aren’t big on self-examination, especially if they’re aligned with the Democratic Party’s dominant corporate wing. And the option of continually fingering the Kremlin as the main villain of a 2016 morality play is clearly too juicy for functionary Democrats to pass up -- even if that means scorching civil liberties and escalating a new cold war that could turn radioactively hot.

Focus: Russian Hacking - Jan 2, 2017


According to both private cybersecurity firms and US intelligence agencies, there is no doubt that Russian group "Fancy Bear" (also known as Sofacy, APT 28, Sednit, Tsar Team or other names) hacked the Democratic party. Is Fancy Bear an agent of the Russian military intelligence service? I believe it is. Fancy Bear is well known by the cybersecurity experts and has been studied in the past at length. Since 2007, targets of Fancy Bear’s hacking have been Georgia and the Caucasus, Eastern European governments and militaries, Ukraine, US, Germany, UK, NATO, OSCE, Soros, etc. Lately it hacked the World Anti-Doping Agency in response to the WADA's recommendation to ban all Russian athletes from the Olympic games in Brazil. While China hacking conducts intellectual property theft, cybersecurity firm FireEye found that Fancy Bear 'has been targeting privileged information related to governments, militaries and security organizations that would likely benefit the Russian government.’ Another cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike states that Fancy Bear’s profile "closely mirrors the strategic interests of the Russian government."


During the years Fancy Bear’ hacking activity has grown in size, sophistication and scope. FireEye reports that Fancy Bear has continuously evolved its malware "using flexible and lasting platforms indicative of plans for long-term use and sophisticated coding practices;" it also uses obfuscation techniques to hide or disguise the code's true purpose and to prevent it from being detected. CrowdStrike has shown that Fancy Bear has the ability to run multiple and extensive intrusion operations concurrently; while it was hacking US political organizations was at the same time involved targeting European military organizations. CrowdStrike on Fancy Bear and another Russian hacking group "Cozy Bear": "Their tradecraft is superb, operational security second to none and the extensive usage of 'living-off-the-land' techniques enables them to easily bypass many security solutions they encounter. In particular, we identified advanced methods consistent with nation-state level capabilities including deliberate targeting and 'access management' tradecraft — both groups were constantly going back into the environment to change out their implants, modify persistent methods, move to new Command & Control channels and perform other tasks to try to stay ahead of being detected." This is not lone wolf or kiddie stuff. This level of activity requires a complex structure that only the Russian government can provide. The New York Times reports that Russian officials recruit programmers "placing prominent ads on social media sites, offering jobs to college students and professional coders.” Fancy Bear developers use the Russian language and operate during business hours consistent with the time zone of Russia’s major cities.


Also Cozy Bear was involved in the hacking of the Democratic party. Recently, after the American presidential elections, it attacked several Russia-focused think tanks in Washington DC who advise the US government. Crowdstrike said Cozy Bear has also been in the past behind attacks against the White House, State Department and Joint Chiefs of Staff. For convenience, here I only focus on Fancy Bear. Enclosed is publicly available documentation. Additional classified material may be in the hand of the US intelligence agencies.


In September 2015 Obama signed an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping in which both countries agreed not to hack the other’s private sector firms. After that there was a dramatic drop in Chinese state-sponsored hacking; around 90 percent of the cyber attacks disappeared in 2016. CrowdStrikes calls those Chinese hacking statistics "the biggest accomplishment we’ve had in the cyber domain in the last 30 years." Hopefully Trump will be able to do the same with Putin cutting down the Russian hacking. To this end, opening a friendly dialogue and establishing cooperation with Moscow will certainly help. Russians feel threatened by the West and their fears are the root causes of their cyberspionage surge.


REPORT: Bears in the Midst: Intrusion into the Democratic National Committee - CrowdStrike 


Findings from analysis of DNC intrusion malware - Threat Geek


Russian-linked group leaks US lawmakers’ phone numbers, emails - Nextgov.com


ThreatConnect follows Guccifer 2.0 to Russian VPN Service - ThreatConnect


Faketivists: Fancy Bears in disguise - ThreatConnect Blog


How hackers broke into John Podesta and Colin Powell’s Gmail accounts - Motherboard


Threat Group-4127 (Fancy Bear) targets Google accounts - SecureWorks


Russian hackers of DNC said to nab secrets from top NATO general, Soros - Bloomberg


Can a BEAR fit down a rabbit hole? Nexus between attacks against US State Election Boards and spearphishing campaign against Turkish, Ukrainian governments - ThreatConnect


Fancy Bears possibly involved in the hacking of OSCE which is monitoring a ceasefire between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists - softpedia.com


Fancy Bear tracks Ukraine troop movements via trojanized app - Infosecurity Magazine


Fancy Bear hack of Ukrainian artillery fighters shows future of war - Motherboard


REPORT: Danger Close: Fancy Bear Tracking of Ukrainian Field Artillery Units - CrowdStrike


Russian 'Fancy Bear' hackers targeted BBC election broadcasts and government departments - Daily Mail Online


Experts: Same Russians hacked World Anti-Doping Agency, Democrats - NBC News


REPORT: ThreatConnect Identifies FANCY BEAR World Anti-Doping Agency Breach - ThreatConnect


Fancy Bear hackers use a new Mac Trojan against aerospace industry – Cyber Defense Magazine


Fancy Bear goes all out to beat Adobe, MSFT zero-day patches - Ars Technica


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FBI-DHS report provides insight into Russian malicious cyber activity - eweek.com


REPORT: GRIZZLY STEPPE – Russian Malicious Cyber Activity - us-cert.gov


Critiques of the DHS/FBI’s GRIZZLY STEPPE Report – Robert M. Lee


Meet Fancy Bear, the Russian group hacking the US election - BuzzFeed News


All signs point to Russia being behind the DNC hack - Motherboard


Russian government likely to be behind APT 28 (Fancy Bear): Bitdefender - scmagazineuk.com


REPORT: APT28 (Fancy Bear) Under the Scope: A Journey into Exfiltrating Intelligence and Government Information - bitdefender.com


APT28: A Window into Russia's cyber espionage operations? APT28 is most likely sponsored by the Russian government based on numerous factors - FireEye Inc


How Russia recruited elite hackers for its cyberwar - The New York Times


Obama curbed Chinese hacking, but Russia wont be so easy - WIRED


To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: Russia and Syria - Dec 27, 2016


FM spokesperson: US defense bill 'directly threatens' security of Russian military in Syria, delivering more weapons to rebels including portable anti-aircraft missiles - RT


U.S. says not providing portable anti-aircraft missiles to Syrian rebels - Reuters


Russia: US defense bill to create problems for the Trump administration, 'as well as to force it to adopt an anti-Russia policy' - TheHill


Russia Foreign Ministry: Washington seeks to disrupt nuclear parity with Moscow - TASS


Comment by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on new US National Defence Authorisation Act - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation


Boris Johnson called 'undiplomatic and unprofessional' by Russia over Syria comments - Mirror Online


Moscow would welcome Henry Kissinger’s expertise in Russia-US relations: Kremlin - RT News


American officials: US, Russian militaries sharing more information on Syria, with both sides trading information in real time and even outlining some of their strategic objectives - AP


John McCain op-ed: We have a stake in Syria, yet we have done nothing - Chicago Tribune


McCain: NATO key to stopping 'Russian misbehavior' - TheHill


Obama administration is close to announcing measures to punish Russia for election interference - The Washington Post


Intelligence agencies sued for records on Russian election interference - TheHill


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Russia says will boost cooperation with Turkey, Iran on Syria: Interfax - Reuters


Kazakh leader says ready to host Russia, Iran, Turkey for Syria talks - rferl.org


Turkey says Saudis, Qatar should attend Syria peace talks - Bloomberg


Erdogan accuses West of 'supporting all the terror groups -- the YPG, PYD but also including Daesh (IS)', breaking promises in Syria - AFP


U.S. calls 'ludicrous' Turkey's claims coalition supported terrorists in Syria - Reuters


Putin orders expansion of Russia’s naval base in Tartus, Syria - Countercurrents


Iran considers letting Russia use its Hamadan base - Al Arabiya English


Russian troops in Aleppo report finding mass graves with tortured and mutilated bodies - AP


First photos of Russian military police in Syria's Aleppo - southfront.org


Iran says could send military advisors to Syria's Aleppo if needed: RIA - Reuters


Massive battle brewing in western Palmyra as Syrian Army mobilizes 7000 soldiers to fight ISIS - almasdarnews.com


Unknown special forces eliminate leaders of militant groups in Syria - southfront.org

 

Saudi Arabian king launches fundraising campaign for Syria, donates millions - ibtimes.com


To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: Russia - Dec 23, 2016


Putin says he wants no nuclear arms race, seeks to improve armaments piercing NATO missile defenses deployed near Russia borders - New York Times


Putin: Systems overcoming anti-missile defense more effective than missile shield itself - TASS


VIDEO: Putin says Russia's nukes can pierce any defense system - YouTube


Putin ‘gives signal' to Trump about consequences of US exit from ABM Treaty that barred the parties from deploying anti-ballistic missile systems - Sputnik


Defense Ministry reveals Russian army's plans for upcoming year - TASS


Russia Defense Minister: Instead of uniting against terrorism, NATO declares Russia main threat and increases its military potential near our borders’ - TASS


TRANSCRIPT: Expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board • President of Russia


Russian forces receive 139 new aircraft, 4 missile regiments reequipped: Shoigu - Sputnik


Two Russian army formations rearmed with Iskander tactical missiles in 2016 - TASS


Four new Russian missile forces with Yars intercontinental ballistic missile systems on combat duty: Minister - Sputnik


Russia to float out 2 nuclear submarines in 2017 - TASS


Russian Black Sea fleet to receive 3 Submarines, 2 Frigates in 2017: Commander - Sputnik


Russian Navy to receive 2 new Arctic bases: Northern Fleet Commander - Sputnik


Russian MoD to receive advanced electronic warfare system in 2017: UIMC - Sputnik


Russian scientists working on new hypersonic aircraft to break through missile defense systems: RIA Nostosti - Sputnik


Production of the hypersonic missile is expected to be launched in 2017 - Sputnik


US Air Force report: Hypersonic missiles From China, Russia pose growing danger - freebeacon.com


Russian Army to get weapons to fight mini-drone swarms in two years - TASS


Russian defense contractor to start working on 3rd generation doomsday planes, expected to be used in case of a nuclear war if ground command centers were destroyed - TASS


Russia tested over 160 new weapons in Syrian operation: defense minister - RT News


Snap combat drills demonstrate rapid development capabilities of Russian Army: Putin - Sputnik

 

Serbia to receive 6 fighter jets, 30 tanks, 30 combat vehicles From Russia - Sputnik


Russian defense minister proposes holding joint drills with Serbia annually - TASS

 

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Putin says will gladly visit US if Trump invites him, agrees with Trump Russia-US relations ‘worse than ever' - TASS


Putin sees no big news in Trump’s statements on bolstering US nuclear potential - TASS


Trump: I got a 'very nice letter' from Putin about improving relations - CNBC


Putin’s letter to Trump - Google Drive


Putin says Western sanctions hampering cooperation on counter-terrorism - Reuters


US Commerce Dept adds 23 Russian entities to sanctions list - Sputnik


Putin sees hope for economy in wage growth, easing recession - Bloomberg


Labor productivity in Russia’s defense industry ‘rockets’: Putin - Sputnik


POLL: Over 60% of Russians trust President Putin - Sputnik


VIDEO: Putin holds annual Q&A marathon, (Starts at 11:20 min) - YouTube


TRANSCRIPT: Vladimir Putin’s annual news conference • President of Russia


Did Putin get Botox plastic surgery? He looks younger - Mediaite


Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike finds evidence that Russian military unit was behind DNC hack, links DNC malware to one in an app used by the Ukrainian army - Washington Post


Interview with CrowdStrike chief on the new evidence of Russian role in DNC hack - PBS NewsHour


Report: Use of Fancy Bear Android Malware in Tracking of Ukrainian Field Artillery Units - Crowdstrike


To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: Russia - Dec 21, 2016


Russia, Iran, Turkey say ready to broker Syria deal, adopt the ‘Moscow Declaration' which set out the principles - Reuters


Moscow Declaration: Joint statement by Iran, Russia and Turkey on agreed steps to revitalize the political process to end the Syrian conflict - Russian Foreign Ministry


Russian, Iranian and Turkish FMs hold joint press conference on Syria - Sputnik


VIDEO (English): Russian, Iranian and Turkish FM's full joint press conference after meeting on Syria - YouTube


Telephone conversation between Putin and Egypt President el-Sisi, The two discussed the situation in the Middle East, including settlement of the crises in Syria and Libya - President of Russia


U.S. plays down absence from Moscow talks on Syria, says not 'sidelined' - Reuters


Russia-Iran-Turkey statement useful for resumption of Syria talks in Geneva: UN - Sputnik


Syrian opposition delegation’s chief negotiator Alloush: ‘Moscow Declaration’ is a crime; must get ready for post-Aleppo battles - Al Arabiya 


John Bolton on the US exclusion from the Russia-Turkey-Iran talks on Syria: 'We’ve got to strengthen ties, if we can, with all of the Gulf nations, the six oil producing monarchies' - Hugh Hewitt Show


Iranian security chief says Iran, Russia share military base In Syria – World Tribune


Hezbollah fighting in Syria with U.S. weapons supplied to Lebanese army, IDF says - Haaretz.com


Former Nusra Front claims responsibility for Russian Ambassador's assassination - Sputnik


Ambassador shooting: Russia pushes back on Turkey's Gulenist claim - CNN.com

 

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U.S. sanctions more companies, people over Russia actions in Ukraine - Reuters


Statement: Treasury sanctions individuals and entities in connection with Russia's occupation of Crimea and the conflict in Ukraine - treasury.gov


US State Department hopes Trump would see wisdom in keeping sanctions on Russia - Sputnik


VIDEO: State Dept says new sanctions were prompted by the Russian annexation of Crimea and support for militias in eastern Ukraine - NYTimes.com


EU decision on extending anti-Russia sanctions takes effect - Sputnik


Moscow to take adequate measures over US expansion of anti-Russian sanctions - TASS

 

Kremlin calls US-Russian ties 'frozen on practically all levels', unsure about Trump - AP


State Department rejects Russia's claim that dialogue has ended - Washington Examiner


POLL: Most economists say U.S. to ease sanctions over next 12 months - Bloomberg


Report: Russians regularly shelled Eastern Ukraine in 2014 - ABC News


U.S.-supplied drones disappoint Ukraine at the front lines, proven ineffective against jamming and hacking by Russia and the separatists - Reuters


Sources: Russia tests anti-satellite weapon - CNNPolitics.com


Russia missing from Trump’s top defense priorities, according to DoD memo - Foreign Policy


Text of DoD memo on Trump’s top defense priorities - Foreign Policy

 

Senate Dems plan proxy war against Trump with Tillerson confirmation - newsmax.com


POLL: Only one-third of Americans say Russia influenced 2016 election - POLITICO


To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Urgent to Progressives: Stop Fueling the Anti-Russia Frenzy

This week began with a mass email from the head of the Democratic National Committee, who declared: “By now, Americans know beyond any reasonable doubt that the Russian government orchestrated a series of cyberattacks on political campaigns and organizations over the past two years and used stolen information to influence the presidential campaign and congressional races.” DNC chair Donna Brazile went on: “The integrity of our elections is too important for Congress to refuse to take these attacks seriously.”

Focus: Russia and NATO - Dec 19, 2016


NATO and Russia talk at the Council meeting, but remain divided on Ukraine - Reuters


Statement by the NATO Secretary General following a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council - NATO


VIDEO: NATO Secretary General statement following NATO-Russia Council - YouTube


Ahead of talks US ambassador to NATO Lute accuses Russia of being 'a source of instability and uncertainty’ - RT


VIDEO: US ambassador to NATO Lute accuses Russia of becoming 'a source of instability and uncertainty' - YouTube


4000 American elite troops arrive to Eastern Europe in January, the biggest deployment in the past 20 years and will cost some USD 3.4 billion - Romania Insider


U.S. army returns 1,600 tanks to Europe as NATO eyes assertive Russia, a Dutch installation to house this 'strategically prepositioned critical war stock’ (VIDEO) - NBC


British Government extends military training for Ukrainian troops 'in face of a more belligerent Russia' - The Independent


European defense budgets climb as NATO countries step up spending - NBC


Stoltenberg: NATO is considering strengthening its presence in the Black Sea - UAWire


Romania boosts NATO role as Black Sea tension rises - irishtimes.com


Lavrov: Kyiv's initiative of patrolling Black Sea jointly with NATO provocative - KyivPost


Russia will respond if NATO establishes military group in Black Sea: Foreign Ministry - Sputnik


Russia to 'expand mobile nuclear missile patrols' near European borders to respond to Nato 'threats' in 2017 - The Independent


Serbia to get Russian fighter jets to counter NATO threat - ABC News


Kremlin hails Kissinger for Putin comments stating the Russian President was an effective advocate for his nation's interest - US News


VIDEO: Henry Kissinger on Russia hacking & Putin - CBS News

 

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UN approves sending monitors to Aleppo as evacuations resume - ABC News


Security Council Resolution 2328: Demanding immediate, unhindered access for observation of monitoring civilian evacuations from Aleppo - ReliefWeb


Russia, Iran and Turkey to hold Syria talks in Moscow on Tuesday - Reuters


Putin tells Rouhani he wants Syria conflict resolved soon: Kremlin - Reuters


Gunman kills Russian ambassador to Turkey, shouts 'God is great' - usatoday.com


VIDEO: Footage of Russian ambassador assassinated in Turkey - YouTube


Putin calls ambassador murder provocation aimed at derailing Syria negotiations - Sputnik


VIDEO: Putin comments on ambassador assassination in Ankara - YouTube

 

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

 

Focus: Russia - Dec 13, 2016

 

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Corker to launch new Russia hacking inquiry, It will be the third Senate committee to dig into the issue - CNN


House Intelligence Committee Chair Nunes won't start new probe into Russian hacking - TPM


House Intel Committee Chairman Nunes: CIA report on Russia meddling conflicts with DNI testimony - Fox News


Devin Nunes’ letter to DNI James Clapper on the CIA's assessment that Russia sought to tilt the presidential election toward Trump - POLITICO


Congress can’t decide how to probe charges Russia aimed to help Trump - The Washington Post


Obama doubles down on Trump, blames Russia for hacking - New York Post


Top intel office not on same page as CIA regarding Russia hack assessment - Fox News


40 Electoral College members demand briefing on Russian interference, all are Democrats except one Republican - TheHill


Kremlin calls talk of Russian interference in U.S. elections ‘absolute nonsense’  - The Washington Post

 

CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity firm that first publicly linked the hacking to Russian intelligence, says cyberattack waged on Clinton campaign just days before vote - Yahoo News


Did the Russians “hack” the election? A look at the established facts - Ars Technica


Vladimir Putin "ready" to meet Donald Trump "any moment" but likely after innauguration - CBS News


‘West has been blaming Russia for everything, now there’s backlash’: Gorbachev - RT News


VIDEO: Gorbachev: "World needs Russia & the U.S. to cooperate" - CBS News


Excerpts from AP interview with Mikhail Gorbachev - US News


Syria rebels reach evacuation deal with government in Aleppo, fighters would be evacuated on buses - Al Jazeera


State Dept. unaware of Russia, Turkey deal on Syria cease-fire and a safe passage for rebel fighters looking to leave Aleppo - Washington Examiner


---------------------------------------------------

 

Moscow sees Rex Tillerson as chance to end sanctions, reboot U.S. ties - WSJ


Priebus: Trump won't rule out lifting Russia sanctions - POLITICO


Tillerson visited White House often over Russia sanctions, advocated against them - Bloomberg


Exxon would win if Tillerson works to lift Russia sanctions - CNN


McCain again voices concerns about Tillerson's ties to Putin - TheHill


EU leaders to discuss extending sanctions on Russia over Ukraine, Merkel and Hollande back extending them - Reuters


Kremlin comments on Merkel, Hollande offer to extend sanctions against Russia: they lead to a deadlock, cannot facilitate solutions to any problems - TASS


Austrian Vice Chancellor repeats call for phasing out of anti-Russia sanctions - Sputnik


EU officials look into Rosneft sale for possible sanctions breach - Reuters


Japan says 'no deal' with Russia that undermines G7 sanctions - SMC


Russia's Putin says Western sanctions an obstacle to talks with Japan: media - Reuters


Putin: Disruptions of EU gas supplies via Ukraine possible - The New York Times


Sweden won't block Nord Stream harbor deals, but raises defense concerns - Reuters


Iran, Russia sign major deal on development of oil, gas fields - Tasnim News Agency


Russia's Rosneft takes part of Egyptian gas field for $1.6B - ABC News


Russia's biggest oil producer rises from slump, looks to 2017 - TheStreet


To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

It Was LEAK, not hack

 

 


US Intel Vets Dispute Russia Hacking Claims

 

 

 

As the hysteria about Russia’s alleged interference in the U.S. election grows, a key mystery is why U.S. intelligence would rely on “circumstantial evidence” when it has the capability for hard evidence, say U.S. intelligence veterans.

Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity

MEMORANDUM

Allegations of Hacking Election Are Baseless

Focus: Donald Trump and Russia - Dec 11, 2016


Trump says Secretary of State candidate Tillerson’s ties with Russia is a ‘great advantage...he knows many of the players, and he knows them well' - New York Post


VIDEO: Chris Wallace asks Donald Trump: Why pick business exec Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State? - YouTube


GOP senators challenge Trump on Secretary of State prospect Tillerson's Russia ties - Fox News


McCain: Tillerson ties to Putin a 'matter of concern', the Russian president 'is a thug, bully and a murderer, and anybody else who describes him as anything else is lying' - TheHill


VIDEO: Interview with Sen. John McCain on Russia (Tillerson question at 5:55 min) - YouTube


Democratic Sen. Menendez Statement: ‘Reports that Rex Tillerson could be nominated to be our nation's top diplomat is alarming and absurd' - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez


Democratic Sen. Casey: Trump's potential Tillerson nomination raises 'serious questions about whether the incoming Administration will adequately stand up to Russia’s aggression' - The Morning Call


Statement of DNC Communications Director Adam Hodge (bottom of page): 'Trump's outrageous pick of Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State...another victory for Vladimir Putin' - bustle.com


Behind the deep ties between Exxon's Rex Tillerson and Russia - CNN


What the Chinese think about Exxon's Rex Tillerson - Yahoo Finance

 

--------------------------------------------------

 

Trump: Claims of Russian interference in 2016 race 'ridiculous,' Dems making excuses - Fox News


Senate Republicans join Democrats in calling for probe of Russian electioneering hacks - CBS News


McCain, Graham, Schumer, Reed joint statement on reports that Russia interfered with the 2016 election - United States Commitee on Armed Services


Trump, CIA on collision course over Russia’s role in U.S. election - The Washington Post


FBI and CIA give differing accounts to lawmakers on Russia’s evidence in 2016 hacks of American elections - The Washington Post


New York Times editorial: Russia’s hand in America’s election - The New York Times


To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)


Focus: Russia and NATO - Dec 9, 2016

 

U.S. Senators urge Trump to take tough line on Russia - Reuters


Full text of the senators’ letter calling on pres.-elect Trump to stand against Russian aggression, support NATO, Ukrainian sovereignty - Rob Portman


Congress reassures Baltic representatives on NATO commitment - defensenews.com


Republicans ready to launch wide-ranging probe of Russia alleged meddling in the U.S. elections and its potential cyberthreats to the military - Chicago Tribune


Obama orders 'full review' of possible Russian hacking in US election - The Guardian


Secret CIA assessment says Russia was trying to help Trump win White House - The Washington Post


EU, NATO cement 'transatlantic bond' before Trump takes office - Reuters


Joint press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini - NATO


European Defence Action Plan: Towards a European Defence Fund - European Commission


Opinion: US should redesign NATO and let Europe lead its defense - US News


NATO chief urges West to keep pressuring Russia over Ukraine - AP


Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission at the level of Foreign Ministers - NATO


NATO troops are to be put on heightened alert amid mounting tensions with Russia - Daily Mail Online


Pentagon awards $350Mln contract to integrate joint planning systems for NATO members - Sputnik


Montenegro's accession to NATO faces hurdle, White House and Pentagon support the Balkan state gaining membership but the Senate has yet to approve it and Trump could oppose it - The Guardian


Lavrov: NATO trying to drag Montenegro into alliance before Obama leaves office - TASS

 

Opinion: Lame duck Senate shouldn't ratify NATO's inclusion of corrupt, military midget Montenegro - Forbes


ARCHIVE: NATO supreme commander Wesley Clark overruled in Kosovo, General Jackson rejected his order saying: 'No, I'm not going to do that. It's not worth starting World War III' - New York Times


----------------------------------------------------

 

Satellite images suggest that Russia appears to be preparing to permanently base its nuclear capable Iskander missile system in Kaliningrad - NPR


Russia’s buildup in Kaliningrad to test Donald Trump on NATO, U.S. calls Moscow’s moves to reinforce its territory between Poland and Lithuania ‘destabilizing’ - WSJ


Inside Russia's stronghold of Kaliningrad 'where World War Three could start' - Daily Mail Online


Russian Foreign Ministry refutes claims on militarization of Kaliningrad exclave - Sputnik


Putin sends a squadron of Russia’s new Su-35S fighter jets to the Finnish border - Daily Mail Online


Russia tests nuclear-capable drone sub that poses a major strategic threat to U.S. ports and harbors - Washington Free Beacon


Russia announces new drone sub that can mimic any other submersible vessel potentially fooling the enemy - SOFREP


US Navy searching for Russian submarines feared to have been sent after NATO warships - Daily Mail Online


Russian ambassador to Swedish television: ‘We have no plans whatsoever to invade Sweden’ - The Washington Post


Trump has Goldman Sachs rethinking Russia - Forbes


One-time Trump adviser Page sees business opportunities in Russia - Reuters


Vladimir Putin advised Oliver Stone on Snowden film - TV3 Xposé


To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)


Talk Nation Radio: Chip Gibbons on Anti-Russia Committee and Censoring Criticism of Israel

https://soundcloud.com/davidcnswanson/talk-nation-radio-chip-gibbons-on-anti-russia-committee-and-censoring-criticism-of-israel

Chip Gibbons is the Policy and Legislative Counsel for the Bill of Rights Defense Committee. He is also a writer whose work has been featured in Jacobin, Truthout, and Counterpunch. We discuss U.S. Congressional efforts to censor criticism of the Israeli government, and to create a new McCarthyite Anti-Russia Committee.

The petition we mention is here.

The account of a sleeping Congress Member we mention is here.

Total run time: 29:00

Host: David Swanson.
Producer: David Swanson.
Music by Duke Ellington.

Download from LetsTryDemocracy or Archive.

Pacifica stations can also download from Audioport.

Syndicated by Pacifica Network.

Please encourage your local radio stations to carry this program every week!

Please embed the SoundCloud audio on your own website!

Past Talk Nation Radio shows are all available free and complete at
http://TalkNationRadio.org

and at
https://soundcloud.com/davidcnswanson/tracks

Focus: Russia - Nov 29, 2016


Note: The next US Secretary of State should be one who has a deep knowledge of Russia, willing to engage in friendly talks with Moscow and build a partnership to foster world peace and security. In my opinion Russia is right in Syria, Ukraine and with regard to NATO.


11 NATO states take part in massive ‘Iron Sword’ drills in Lithuania - RT News


New Cold War: US Marines' war games on Norway-Russia border - CNN.com


VIDEO: US Marines in Lithuania - Exercise Iron Sword 16 - YouTube


German president visits NATO command center, reassures eastern members of Berlin's commitments, questions Trump campaign comments - DW.COM


Britain expects Donald Trump to 'stand up' to Russia and not treat it 'as any kind of equal partner’, UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon warns - telegraph.co.uk


Britain to send troops to Poland as NATO deployment against ‘increasing Russian aggressiveness’ - news.com.au


NATO should be acting as a bridge between Baltics & Russia, defuse tension: UK Tory MP - RT UK


France says lifting sanctions on Russia would be counterproductive - Reuters


Italian minister would welcome more openness to Russia from U.S. - Reuters


Peace talks in Minsk end without agreement, both Ukraine and Russia hardened their positions and there was no political agreement on holding local elections in Donbass - Reuters


Russian Senator warns Ukraine against missile-firing exercise in Crimea airspace - TASS


Does NATO need Montenegro? How does this tiny Balkan nation contribute to NATO’s collective security? The short answer is: It doesn’t. - The National Interest


Arms expert Joe Cirincione op-ed: Trump should halt US missile-defense plans in Europe - Defense One


GOP supporters of better Cuba relations warn Trump not to let Russia, China step in. - McClatchy DC


----------------------------------------------

 

Russia fully deploys 2 new divisions near Western border - The Washington Post


Russia to deploy S-400 and nuclear-capable Iskander missile systems in Kaliningrad as "countermeasures" to NATO expansion - CBS News


Putin's robo-tank: New weapon is deployed to the Polish border to protect Russia's missile launchers from attack - Daily Mail Online


Moscow offered NATO to hold consultations on military flights over Baltic sea but the bloc refused - Sputnik


NATO drills in Georgia negatively affect regional safety: Russia Foreign Ministry - Sputnik


No sign of NATO giving up myth of 'Russian threat' in policymaking: Envoy - Sputnik


Russian diplomat says spending so much time on Russia-NATO Council agenda is pointless - TASS


Russia, Uzbekistan sign treaty on military-technical cooperation - TASS


Armenia is literally joining forces with Russia - Foreign Policy


Russia eyes supplying military hardware to the Philippines - ABC News


Philippines foreign affairs secretary: Duterte to visit Russia in 2017 - CNN Philippines


Libyan commander Haftar visits Russia to ask for help: 'We hope we will eliminate terrorism with your help in the nearest future' - Reuters


Russian top diplomat Lavrov praises Libyan army for its role in protecting state’s independence - TASS


VIDEO (Russian/Arabic): Lavrov and Libyan Marshal Haftar laud strong bilateral ties - YouTube


Putin orders mobile hospitals to be sent to residents of Aleppo, Syria - RT News


Russia to send 100,000 tons of wheat in humanitarian aid to Syria - THE DAILY STAR


Turkey entered Syria to end al-Assad’s rule: President Erdoğan - hurriyetdailynews.com


Turkish parliament endorse ratification of the Turkish-Russian stream pipeline deal - Sputnik


Turkish premier to visit Russia on December 6-7 - TASS


Are relations between Pakistan and Russia beginning to thaw? - Daily Mail Online


To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)


How I Produce Fake News for Russia

Apparently I've written "fake news" on behalf of Russia without ever receiving a dime from Russia or realizing what I was doing. It took the intrepid reporting of the Washington Post to alert me to what I have been engaged in. My "fake news" has been published in at least 18 Russian propaganda outlets included on the Washington Post-endorsed Enemies List.

They are ahtribune.com, off-guardian.org, opednews.com, antiwar.com, beforeitsnews.com, blackagendareport.com, ronpaulinstitute.org, rt.com (that one is actually Russian), consortiumnews.com, countercurrents.org, counterpunch.org, globalresearch.ca, truth-out.org, truthdig.com, informationclearinghouse.info, washingtonsblog.com, mintpressnews.com, and nakedcapitalism.com.

Since everything I write is also at davidswanson.org it's a safe bet that that's a Russian propaganda site as well, even though I hadn't realized it.

Focus: Secretary of State Candidate Dana Rohrabacher - Nov 24, 2016


Note: Dana Rohrabacher is my pick among the current Secretary of State Candidates.


Dana Rohrabacher op-ed: Why is America restarting the cold war with Russia? This is belligerent nonsense, a stunning and total failure of vision - National Interest


VIDEO: Rep. Rohrabacher opposes the new cold war on Russia and the 'Ukraine Support Bill', Mar 2014 - YouTube


VIDEO: Congressman Dana Rohrabacher: Russia and the US need to work together to defeat the radical Islamic terrorism, Apr 2015 - YouTube


VIDEO: Congressman Dana Rohrabacher grills U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power on Ukraine, Jun 2015 - YouTube


VIDEO: Rep. Rohrabacher questions administration on TPP trade deal, Jun 2015 - YouTube


VIDEO: Senator Rohrabacher: Assad was never a threat to United States, Feb 2016 - YouTube


VIDEO: Dana Rohrabacher questions Secretary of State John Kerry regarding the genocide of Christians in the Middle East, Feb 2016 - YouTube


VIDEO: Subcommittee Chairman Rohrabacher's opening statements on Turkey’s democratic decline, Jul 2016 - YouTube


VIDEO: Rohrabacher at House Foreign Relations Committee on the Gulen movement and the July coup attempt in Turkey, Oct 2016 - YouTube


VIDEO: Congressman Rohrabacher on basic human rights violations in Turkey, Nov 2016 - YouTube


To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

 

 

Obama: I Hope Trump Can Stand up to Russia - Nov 17, 2016

 

Obama: I hope Trump can stand up to Russia 'where they are deviating from our values and international norms’ - CNBC


VIDEO: Obama urges Trump to ‘stand up' to Russia - YouTube


TRANSCRIPT: Read President Obama’s comments urging Donald Trump to stand up to Russia - TIME


VIDEO: Full press conference by Barack Obama and Angela Merkel following meeting - YouTube


Obama, Angela Merkel issue joint op-ed responding to Donald Trump - CBS News


Op-ed by President Obama and Chancellor Merkel: The future of transatlantic relations - whitehouse.gov


In private meeting, Euro diplomats beseech Trump team to uphold transatlantic pacts - Foreign Policy


NATO general says Trump not serious about abandoning treaty - The Washington Post


Democratic Senator Cardin’s op-ed: The United States needs to hold Russia accountable for its aggression - The Washington Post


Kremlin: Obama team trying to damage ties with Russia - ABC News


Philippines’ Duterte: 'If China and Russia would decide to create a new order, I will be the first to join’ - FT.com

 

--------------------------------------------

 

US condemns Russia and Syria as Aleppo offensive escalates, Moscow claims not bombing Aleppo but al Qaeda in Idlib - CBS News


Russia launches multiple air attacks on militant targets in Syria: defence ministry - Reuters


Long-range bombers from an air base in southern Russia strike Syria for 1st time in a year, US officials say - Fox News


State Dept spokesman dismisses question from Russia Today on Syria, says won’t treat it like other media, later a State Dept official apologized - RT News


VIDEO: State Department spokesman gets into heated exchange over Syria with Russia Today reporter - YouTube


VIDEO: Anti-Russian hysteria pervading political circles: British Conservative Party MP Kawczynski - YouTube


Donald Trump striking a Syria deal with Russia would be ‘most disastrous step possible’, Saudi Arabian prince warns - The Independent


Former head of the Turkish military see Syria hopeful opening in Trump’s outreach to Moscow - Washington Times


Turkey′s NATO officials seek asylum in Germany amid Erdogan crackdown - DW.COM


To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)


Focus: Congress, Trump and Russia - Nov 16, 2016


Lawmakers move to restrain President-elect Trump on Russia - The Washington Post


GOP foreign-policy power brokers in Congress could foil Trump on Russia, Syria, and other top security issues - Foreign Policy


Statement by McCain on U.S.-Russia relations: Another ‘reset’ would be complicity in Putin and Assad’s butchery of the Syrian people - mccain.senate.gov


Top Republicans don't know where Trump will be on Ukraine - The Weekly Standard


Top Senate Democrat Cardin challenges Trump on Russia: In interview he lays out a foreign policy platform for the incoming Congress - al-monitor.com


House passes sanctions on anyone who provides the Syrian government with financial, material or technological support - The Washington Post


NSA head: Dem hacks were a conscious effort by Russia - TheHill


Washington Post editorial: The United States is giving Putin the green light for atrocities - The Washington Post


Influential conservative think tank Heritage Foundation says Russia — not ISIS — is greatest threat - Washington Examiner


Heritage Foundation 2017 Index of U.S. Military Strength: scores security threats worldwide, the global operating environment, and U.S. military power - heritage.org


Transatlantic Forum on Russia: Event will be webcast live from this page on Nov 17 - Center for Strategic and International Studies


European leaders, NATO caution Trump on warming relations with Russia - The Washington Post


NATO says Crimea still a concern, day after Trump-Putin call - nation.com.pk


Ex-Nato leaders call for extraordinary meeting with Trump, warn US president-elect against deal with Putin that would cede Crimea - The Guardian


Ukraine President asks Trump to help counter ‘Russian aggression’ - WSJ


Putin pulls Russia out of International Criminal Court day after report on Crimea annexation - Fox News


Two-thirds of Russians want Putin to remain president after 2018: study - RT Russian politics


Le Pen says 'world peace' would gain from a Trump-Putin-Le Pen trio - Reuters

 

Russian sanctions cost Italy €7bn and up to 200,000 jobs: Italian MP - RT Business


Italian M5S movement ‘against NATO's creeping policy' of nearing Russian border - Sputnik


Philippine President wants to be friends with Trump, Putin - ABC News


Trump-led US could become Syria’s ‘natural ally’ if it fights terrorism: Assad - RT News


Full text of President Bashar al-Assad interview given to RTP TV - Syrian TV

 

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Note on Russia and the next Secretary of State - Nov 15, 2016


The next Secretary of State should understand the positive role that Russia is playing not only in the crucial existential fight against terrorism (if Islamic State gets chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, they will use them) but also as a force of peace and stability in the world. Russia has a formidable military which has not being engaged in recent past wars therefore not affected by combat fatigue unlike the U.S military. Russia military should not be underestimated and threatened like Rudy Giuliani did in a recent interview: "Russia thinks it's a military competitor, it really isn’t, it's our unwillingness under Obama to even threaten the use of our military that makes Russia so powerful.” John Bolton expressed the same line: "Well, I think relations are very unsatisfactory, largely due to the behavior of Russia...I think he [Trump] is going to be a strong leader, I think that will have two dramatic impacts on Putin. Number one, it'll make him a lot more hesitant to try and extend Russian influence, and two, what may seem paradoxical but what I think is true, it'll make Putin more inclined to cooperate.” Putin will not desist because Ukraine and Syria are Russia’s strategic and security interests. Plus Russia has the backing of China in international conflicts.


Russia has legitimate interests in Ukraine because of their hystorical relationship and economic cooperation and because there is the presence of a sizeable Russian speaking population in Ukraine: according to 2001 census they are 29.3 percent of the total population. In some Eastern regions they are the majority. In Crimea they are 77 percent. This Russian speaking population has close economic, cultural and family ties with Russia. The European Union proposed to Ukraine the Association Agreement without taking into consideration the Russian interests and rejecting trilateral talks between Ukraine, the EU and Russia.


In Syria, Russia is opposing well-armed jihadist groups who threaten the lives of the people, the fabric of the society and its State institutions and impede a political solution leading to democratic elections. Russia has been accused to prop up the Assad government but the ouster of Assad, which has been demanded by the past US administration, would throw the country in a state of chaos with no central authority and with militias holding the real power.

Speaking Events

2017

 

August 2-6: Peace and Democracy Conference at Democracy Convention in Minneapolis, Minn.

 

September 22-24: No War 2017 at American University in Washington, D.C.

 

October 28: Peace and Justice Studies Association Conference



Find more events here.

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